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ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie in shock departure

Michelle Guthrie, the ABC’s managing director, has been fired by the organisation’s board.

Guthrie first joined the ABC in December 2015, from Google Asia, where she was managing director of agencies.

This morning the ABC Board announced Guthrie, who was two and a half years into her five year term, would no longer lead the business, citing it was “not in the best interests” of the national broadcaster.

Chairman Justin Milne said the Board believed new leadership would be for the benefit of the staff and ABC’s audiences. He thanked Guthrie for her efforts.

“In resolving to seek fresh leadership, the Board’s foremost consideration was the long-term interests of our own people and the millions of Australians who engage with ABC content every week,” Milne said.

“We understand that transitions can be disruptive in the short-term. However, the ABC is fortunate to have an experienced and capable executive team that will provide continuity in the months ahead.”

David Anderson, director of entertainment and specialist, has been appointed acting managing director, while a replacement is found.

On his interim appointment, Anderson said he was honoured to accept the invitation: “I recognise the challenges involved in transitions of this kind but I am honoured to accept the Board’s invitation and look forward to working with our outstanding people to execute our strategy.”

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield also released a statement, thanking Guthrie for her work.

“ABC Managing Directors are appointed by the Board. The ABC Board has legislated independence in relation to management appointments and the Government respects the duty and role of the Board in these matters,” he said.

In an interview on the ABC later this morning, Milne denied Guthrie’s departure was to do with pressure from the government, adding: “The hiring and firing of the CEO is a matter entirely for the Board.”

“The government has provided no pressure, no opinion, has not been involved in this decision. This is entirely a Board decision.” Milne did add, however, that the relationship with the government “could have been better”.

It marks the end of a controversial two years for both Guthrie and the ABC broadcaster. Since her appointment, Guthrie has been accused of being a “Murdoch-hatchet woman” and “Google-ising” the ABC.

In Guthrie’s time, the ABC underwent a major restructure, slashing between 150 and 200 jobs in early 2017. She then later announced a re-structure which saw the organisation divided into three divisions based on genres of content rather than platforms.

When the Federal Budget was announced in May this year, the government revealed ABC spending cuts of $84m over three years, with a further $43m to be taken from news and current affairs. Shortly after the announcement, ABC head of news Gaven Morris warned there was no more fat left to be cut in the organisation.

The ABC then announced further redundancies – up to 37 – to fund content and digital platform investment. Her abrupt departure also comes as the ABC and SBS undergo an efficiency review, which was born out of a deal between One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s government, made to pass the media reforms bill last year.

Today’s announcement follows an article in The Australian this morning, which suggested Guthrie and chairman Milne had a frosty relationship. But Guthrie’s departure is not the first messy exit from the top job at the ABC. In 2001 Jonathan Shier departed after a tumultuous term in office lasting little more than a year during which he lost the support of many staff and fell out with the board.

The full announcement:

The ABC Board has announced that Michelle Guthrie today departed from the role of Managing Director.

The decision follows discussions over several months that concluded when directors resolved that it was not in the best interests of the ABC for Ms Guthrie to continue to lead the organisation.

Chairman Justin Milne said the Board believed that new leadership would benefit the organisation, its dedicated employees, and the ABC’s audiences.

“In resolving to seek fresh leadership, the Board’s foremost consideration was the long-term interests of our own people and the millions of Australians who engage with ABC content every week,” Mr Milne said.

“This decision has been driven by our commitment to deliver the best possible outcomes for our loyal audiences and the best possible experience for our own people.

“We understand that transitions can be disruptive in the short-term. However, the ABC is fortunate to have an experienced and capable executive team that will provide continuity in the months ahead.

“The board wishes to thank Michelle for her contribution to the ABC. We are very grateful for all her hard work,” Mr Milne concluded.

The ABC Board has invited David Anderson to serve as Acting Managing Director until the role is filled on a permanent basis in coming months.

Mr Anderson is currently Director, Entertainment & Specialist, responsible for broadcast television networks and associated services, radio music networks, podcasts and specialist radio content. He has enjoyed a successful career in the broadcast television and media industry for nearly 30 years.

“I recognise the challenges involved in transitions of this kind but I am honoured to accept the Board’s invitation and look forward to working with our outstanding people to execute our strategy,” Mr Anderson said.

Succession planning receives continuous attention from the ABC Board. It has commenced a formal search process that will involve internal and external candidates. By law, Managing Directors are selected by the ABC Board independently of the Government and Opposition of the day.

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